First Presidency Honors Jon Huntsman Sr. After His Passing

Former Area Seventy and successful businessman Jon Huntsman Sr. passed away Friday at the age of 80.

Following his passing, the First Presidency released this statement:

"We share today in the grief of the Huntsman family. We honor Jon as a cherished husband, father and friend, esteemed as a leader for his exceptional capacity, commitment, philanthropy and service throughout the world. We express our love to Karen, to their children and family. Jon's legacy of faithful leadership, generosity and goodness stands as a beacon for the entire Huntsman family and many others throughout the world.”

Jon Huntsman Sr., the father of former 2012 presidential hopeful, former Utah governor, and current Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr., was known as a business mogul, owning 34 businesses in his lifetime, including Texaco's petrochemicals operation.

A four-time cancer survivor, Huntsman Sr. also began the Huntsman Cancer Institute, a cancer research hospital in Utah.

From 1996 to 2011, Huntsman served as the Area Seventy. He also served as a regional representative, stake president, and president of the Washington D.C. Mission and occasionally offered his corporate jet for LDS Church leaders to arrive at gatherings quickly.